Shelf for books

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a shelf for books or the like having an insert which allows the shelf to be easily converted for use with either normal or conventional sized books in one instance or smaller books such as paperbacks in another instance.

United States Patent Graves 1 June 6, 1972 [54] SHELF FOR BOOKS 1,453,065 4/1923 Fargo ..'211/42 x 1,929,482 10/1933 ....248/441 [72] Inventor: Kent M. Graves, 71 West Ave., Apt. #12, 2,263,921 11/1941 108/12 Brockpon. NY 14420 3,424,283 1/1969 Sheldon ..248/461 x 22 F] d: M 3 1971 l 1 Primary ExaminerBobby R. Gay [21] Appl No.: 139,586 Assistant Examiner-Glenn O. Finch Attorney-Wayne B. Easton 52] us. Cl ..l08/12, 248/460 [57] ABSTRACT 2; g gz gg? The invention relates to a shelf for books or the like having an I 1 0 am l insert which allows the shelf to be easily converted for use 248/460 461; 1/42 43 with either normal or conventional sized books in one instance or smaller books such as paperbacks in another instance. [56] References Cited 2 Claims, 2 Drawing figures UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,169,869 2/1916 Richards ..2l1/42HX PATENTEDJUN 6 I972 INVENTOR KENT M. GRAVES BY Wadxx Attorney SHELF FOR BOOKS This invention relates to a new and improved shelf for books and the like having an insert which'allows the shelfto be easily converted for use with either normal or conventional sized books in one instance or smaller books such as paperbacks in another instance.

A main object of the invention is to provide a new and improved shelf of the type referred to above.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following specification, drawingsand appended claims.

IN THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. 1 I is a perspective of a bookcase shelf made in accordance with the invention; and

H6. 2 is an elevational side view of the shelf shown in FIG. 1.

The bookcase shelf illustrated comprises a rear, horizontally extending planar section and a relatively narrow longitudinally extending front ledge section 12 having the same elevation as the rear section 10. A rearwardly and downwardly inclined planar section 14 is disposed between the rear section 10, which occupies approximately half the width of the shelf, and the ledge section 12.

At the rear of the inclined section 14, between it and the planar section 10, is a longitudinally extending wall section 16 which is generally perpendicular to the inclined section 14. A relatively shallow slot 18 is formed by a U-shaped section which comprises the lower portion of the wall section 16, a narrow flange section 20 depending normally from the inward end of inclined section 14, and a narrow section 22 connecting the sections 16 and 20.

A generally rectangularly shaped back plate 25 is provided which may have the same longitudinal length as the shelf proper. Back plate 25 has a nominal thickness which is substantially the same as the width of slot 18 and is insertable therein as is indicated or suggested in the drawing. Slot 18 is perpendicular relative to the inclined section 14 and back plate 25 is therefore also perpendicular with respect to the section 14 when it is inserted in the slot.

Back plate 25 is inserted in the slot 18 when it is desired to place or store paperback books on the shelf. In that case the paperback books rest on the inclined section 14 and are also supported by the back plate 25.

When it is desired to place or store conventional or standard sized books on the shelf the back plate 25 is used as a floor plate as indicated by the dotted line outline of it in FIG. 2.

When used as a floor plate the plate 25 rests on a pair of narrow ledges 28 and 30 which are slightly recessed relative to the respectively adjacent front and. rear sections 10 and I2 a depth equal to the approximate thickness of the plate 25 so that the plate 25 combines with sections 10 and 12 to present a flush surface upon which the books may rest. With regard to location, ledge 28 is between rear section 10 and wall section 16 and ledge 20 is between the front ledge section 12 and the inclined planar section 14. It will of course be understood that the width of back plate 25 is approximately equal to the span between the ledges 28 and 30.

The shelf proper and back plate 25 are preferably metal starnpings formed with sheet metal. It is contemplated that suitable brackets or other means for joining shelves to vertically standing members to form bookcases may be provided without difiiculty and such brackets or other means do not form any part of the invention disclosed herein. It is also contemplated that the back plate 25 may be articulated so as to form two or more parts with the sum of the lengths of the parts equaling the total length of the shelf. In this way a portion of a shelf could be devoted to standard size books while the remainder of the shelf could be devoted to paperback books.

I claim:

1. A shelf for a bookcase for holding books of conventional size and smaller paperback books comprising, a rear horizontally extending planar section, a front ledge section having the same elevation as said rear section, an inclined section between said rear and ledge sections, a dual purpose plate having a first position between and in the same plane as said rear and ledge sections, said plate having a second position extending upwardly and at right angles to said inclined section, and supporting means for supporting said plate in said first and second positions, wherein said supporting means include ledge means recessed relative to said planar and ledge sections.

2. A shelf for a bookcase for holding books of conventional size and smaller paperback books comprising, a rear horizontally extending planar section, a front ledge section having the same elevation as said rear section, an inclined section between said rear and ledge sections, a dual purpose plate having a first position between and in the same plane as said rear and ledge sections, said plate having a second position extending upwardly and at right angles to said inclined section, and supporting means for supporting said plate in said first and second positions, wherein said supporting means includes a groove recessed relative to said inclined section at the rear edge thereof. 

1. A shelf for a bookcase for holding books of conventional size and smaller paperback books comprising, a rear horizontally extending planar section, a front ledge section having the same elevation as said rear section, an inclined section between said rear and ledge sections, a dual purpose plate having a first position between and in the same plane as said rear and ledge sections, said plate having a second position extending upwardly and at right angles to said inclined section, and supporting means for supporting said plate in said first and second positions, wherein said supporting means include ledge means recessed relative to said planar and ledge sections.
 2. A shelf for a bookcase for holding books of conventional size and smaller paperback books comprising, a rear horizontally extending planar section, a front ledge section having the same elevation as said rear section, an inclined section between said rear and ledge sections, a dual purpose plate having a first position between and in the same plane as said rear and ledge sections, said plate having a second position extending upwardly and at right angles to said inclined section, and supporting means for supporting said plate in said first and second positions, wherein said supporting means includes a groove recessed relative to said inclined section at the rear edge thereof. 